Leesburg's Historic Downtown is the cultural heart of the community. As the county seat of one of the fastest growing counties in the United States, Leesburg faces significant pressures from the demand for new development.

Our future hinges on on-going efforts to sustain and enhance the Historic Downtown as a place to create new investment opportunities while maintaining its authentic charm and character.

Planning & Policy

In 2003, the Business Development Strategy (PDF, 5.2M) was endorsed by the Leesburg Town Council and today continues to serve as a strategic road map and implementation plan that reinforces the existing community and enhances the future investments. Some of the other planning and policy documents that guide and inform the development of Leesburg's Historic Downtown:

Downtown Improvements

Based upon the recommendations in the ULI Technical Assistance Panel Report (see link above), the Town Council approved a multi-phase, $5.3 million Downtown Improvement Capital Project in 2009. The improvements will enhance accessibility for pedestrians, improve traffic safety and enrich the aesthetics of the Historic Downtown.

Phase I of these downtown improvements, which included the pedestrian walkways from the Town Hall Parking Garage to King Street, the alley along the side of the parking garage and a new downtown "entry" at Mom's Apple Pie, were completed in Spring 2013.

Phases II and III encompass improvements to Loudoun Street from South King Street to the East End Triangle at Mom's Apple Pie and King Street from Royal Street to Cornwall Street. Project elements include widened brick sidewalks, street trees, decorative street lights and other amenities.

New Development

The Town of Leesburg works actively with downtown property owners and developers to encourage appropriate infill development in the Historic Downtown. All proposed new construction, redevelopment and renovation projects must be approved by the Leesburg Board of Architectural Review (BAR). More information.

A number of downtown projects are the development pipeline, both big and small. The largest of these proposed projects is Courthouse Square, a 110,500 square foot office, retail and restaurant building with frontages on East Market, Church and Loudoun streets. Rendering provided courtesy of DBI Architects, Inc.